Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

After Derrick Morgan spoke the saga of Rudies In Court over a steady rhythm from Lloyd Parkes and We The People Band, he slowed the pace of CVM TV Startime to a soulful stroll on Saturday night.

The large audience at Mas Camp, Oxford Road, New Kingston, rocked to My First Taste of Love and the request to Save The Last Dance For Me, but the musical pace soon stopped and the mood changed totally.

Morgan invited someone on stage who said that Stanley Beckford, singer of the raunchy Soldering with the Starlites, Brown Gal with the Turbines, Gypsy Woman on his own and Fi We Island A Boom (2000) among a trio of winning festival songs with his peculiar nasal intonation, was in dire need.

High hospital bill

He is in the University Hospital of the West Indies, carrying not only the load of throat cancer but also a half million dollar hospital bill.

This led to a plea for donations from members of the audience to help with the singer's expenses. "Yu see de ol time singer, dem no mek no money. Dat include meself," Morgan said.

"Yu might see me dress up tittivacious," he said, to chuckles as he indicated his blue suit. "A me wife pity me an' gimme da suit ya."

And during the break after John Holt's searing performance ended with Wear You To The Ball, Ken Boothe came on stage to contribute $5,000 from his night's salary to Stanley Beckford.